Communication system for interfacing with an alarm system control panel

ABSTRACT

A communicator device including a network interface for facilitating internet protocol (IP) communication, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) device interface for facilitating communication with a PSTN device and a processor. The processor is configured to communicate with a user application via an IP connection, receive instructions via the IP connection, generate a telephone ring signal based on the instructions, output the telephone ring signal to the PSTN device via the PSTN device interface, in response to the PSTN device providing a response to the telephone ring signal, establish a tip/ring connection between the PSTN device and the communicator device, and perform a data exchange between the user application and the PSTN device via a communication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ring connection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/906,853, filed Sep. 27, 2019. The contents of thisapplication are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to devices, systems andmethods for interfacing with an alarm system control panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alarm system control panels and various other devices are configured tocommunicate with customer and service provider devices over thewell-known public switched telephone network (PSTN) that includes anetwork of circuit switched telephone networks including but not limitedto telephone lines and cellular networks. Communication for PSTNdevices, however, becomes problematic when the PSTN is faulty orunavailable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A communicator device including a network interface for facilitatinginternet protocol (IP) communication, a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) device interface for facilitating communication with aPSTN device and a processor. The processor is configured to communicatewith a user application via an IP connection, receive instructions viathe IP connection, generate a telephone ring signal based on theinstructions, output the telephone ring signal to the PSTN device viathe PSTN device interface, in response to the PSTN device providing aresponse to the telephone ring signal, establish a tip/ring connectionbetween the PSTN device and the communicator device, and perform a dataexchange between the user application and the PSTN device via acommunication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ringconnection.

A communicator system including a user device executing a userapplication and communication software to communicate with a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) device, a server and a communicatordevice facilitating the communication between the user device and thePSTN device. The communicator system establishes an internet protocol(IP) connection between the communication software of the user device,the server and the communicator device, transmits a telephone numberfrom the user application to the server using the communication softwareand the IP connection, transmits instructions from the server to thecommunicator device associated with the telephone number using the IPconnection, transmits a telephone ring signal from the communicatordevice to the PSTN device, the telephone ring signal generated based onthe instructions from the server, transmits a response to the telephonering signal from the PSTN device to the server via the communicatordevice, and establishes a tip/ring connection between the PSTN deviceand the communicator device, and performs a download or an upload ofdata between the user application and the PSTN device via acommunication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ringconnection.

A communicator method including executing, by a user device, a userapplication and communication software to communicate with a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) device, facilitating, by a server anda communicator device, the communication between the user device and thePSTN device, establishing an internet protocol (IP) connection betweenthe communication software of the user device, the server and thecommunicator device, transmitting a telephone number from the userapplication to the server using the communication software and the IPconnection, transmitting instructions from the server to thecommunicator device associated with the telephone number using the IPconnection, transmitting a telephone ring signal from the communicatordevice to the PSTN device, the telephone ring signal generated based onthe instructions from the server, transmitting a response to thetelephone ring signal from the PSTN device to the server via thecommunicator device, and establishing a tip/ring connection between thePSTN device and the communicator device, and performing a download or anupload of data between the user application and the PSTN device via acommunication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ringconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an alarm system diagram showing communication connectionsbetween the alarm system control panel, a communicator device, a serviceprovider device and an IP server, according to an aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a hardware diagram showing communication connections betweenthe alarm system control panel and the communicator device, according toan aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing the operation of the alarm system,according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another flowchart describing the operation of the alarmsystem, according to an aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present teachings may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, withoutdetail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentteachings.

Examples of the subject matter disclosed herein are described primarilywith respect to alarm systems. It should be apparent, however, that thedisclosed subject matter is not so limited. The systems, devices, andmethods described herein may be usable in connection with any PSTNdevice designed to connect or communicate over a PSTN, including forexample, security panels, personal emergency devices, etc. Other usesfor the examples below will be known from the description herein.

Introduction

An alarm system control panel (e.g. a security/fire alarm panel)monitors various devices (e.g. motion sensors, door/window switchsensors, smoke detectors, sirens, annunciators, lights, etc.) installedat a target location (e.g. a residential/commercial building). The alarmsystem control panel may perform bi-directional communication with userdevices including alarm service provider devices, customer devices andcall center devices (e.g. personal computers (PC), smartphones, etc.).Among others, this communication may include reading alarm statusinformation (e.g. sensor trigger events/times, etc.), executing alarmcommands (e.g. arm, disarm, etc.), performing software/firmware updatesand making settings modifications to the alarm system control panel.Alarm system control panels and various other devices may be configuredto communicate over a PSTN using various tones at various durations anddelays in a sequence that represent data. Such devices may be referredto as PSTN devices. Providing a way for PSTN devices like alarm systemcontrol panels to communicate over an IP network may be beneficial ininstances where the PSTN is faulty or otherwise unavailable. However, itis difficult and impractical to modify these PSTN devices to performsuch IP communication. Therefore, it is beneficial to provide aninterface device/method that allows a PSTN device to continue tocommunicate using PSTN tones (e.g. transmit, receive and process thetones) as normal, while seamlessly converting the PSTN tones to IP dataand vice versa to interface the PSTN to the IP network. In the examplesbelow, communication between the alarm system control panel and the userdevices may be facilitated by a combination of a PSTN communication andan IP communication with the aid of a PSTN device interface that isconnected to the PSTN device and communication software (e.g. a driver)running on the user device. The PSTN device interface converts PSTNsignals to IP data and vice versa in order to translate between the PSTNcommunication used by the PSTN device and the IP communication used bythe server and the user device. The communication software (e.g. adriver) converts software application data/instructions to IP data andvice versa.

FIG. 1 is an example of an alarm panel communication system 100including devices configured to communicate via PSTN 122 and IP network124. For example, a PSTN device such as an alarm system control panel104 (e.g. residential alarm device) is located at an alarm systemcontrol panel location 102 (e.g. a residential house). Alarm systemcontrol panel 104 is connected to communicator device 106 (e.g. PSTNdevice interface) via connection 108 (e.g. tip/ring wiring). Alsoincluded in the system is an IP service location 116 (e.g. IP networksupport device) including IP server 118, and a user device location 110(e.g. alarm system service provider location, alarm system call center,customer device, etc.). In one example, user device 112 may be a PClocated at the alarm service provide location for handling deviceconfiguration and account management. In another example, user device112 may be a PC located at a service location (e.g. call center) thathandles alarm signaling. In yet another example, user device 112 may bea customer PC that is used to monitor alarm status.

In general, during operation, alarm system control panel 104communicates with user device 112 in two primary ways. In aconfiguration where PSTN 122 is available, alarm system control panel104 communicates with user device 112 via PSTN 122 of network 120. In aconfiguration, however, where PSTN 122 is not available or is faulty,alarm system control panel 104, with the aid of IP server 118,communicator device 106, and communication software running on the userdevice 112, communicates with user device 112 via IP network 124 ofnetwork 120.

Normally, alarm system control panel 104 communicates over the PSTN 122to push or upload information to the user device 112 (e.g. the alarmmonitoring station). In addition, PSTN alarm system control panel 104communicates over the PSTN 122 when an alarm service provider needs toconfigure or manage the alarm equipment (e.g. alarm system control panel104). Thus, PSTN 122 may be used for various communications includinguploads, downloads and alarm event messaging. For example, communicationthrough the PSTN may include, but is not limited to alarm pushnotifications via short message service (SMS) messages sent to userdevice 112 in response to an alarm event (e.g. alarm trigger, validsecurity code entered, invalid security code entered, etc.),software/firmware upgrades and setting updates.

In contrast, when the PSTN 122 is faulty or unavailable, thecommunication including the uploads (e.g. alarm event history, currentsettings information, alarm triggers, etc.) and/or downloads (e.g.software/firmware upgrades, setting updates, alarm commands, etc.) ofdata between alarm system control panel 104 and user device 112 isexchanged via IP network 124 of network 120 with the aid of IP server118, communicator device 106 and communication software running on theuser device 112.

System Hardware

As described above, communicator device 106 acts as a PSTN deviceinterface between alarm system control panel 104 and the IP network 124.FIG. 2 is a detailed hardware diagram 200 of alarm system control panel104, communicator device 106, and their respective connections to eachother and to the networks.

In this example, alarm system control panel 104 includes memory device204 for storing programming code, alarm device(s) 206 (e.g. sensor,siren, annunciators, keypads, etc.), PSTN interface 208 for connectingalarm system control panel 104 to PSTN 122 via connection 108 (e.g.tip/wring wiring), alarm system device(s) interface 209 for connectingalarm system control panel 104 to alarm system device(s) 206, andcentral processing unit (CPU) 202 for controlling, based on theprograming code in memory device 204, the operation of alarm systemcontrol panel 104 and facilitating bi-directional communication withcommunicator device 106 via PSTN interface 208.

Communicator device 106 includes memory device 212 for storingprogramming code, PSTN/IP network interface 214 for connectingcommunicator device 106 to PSTN 122 and to IP network 124, alarm systemcontrol panel interface 216 for connecting communicator device 106 toalarm system control panel 104, and CPU 210 for facilitating, based onthe programing code in memory device 212, bi-directional communicationwith alarm system control panel 104 via alarm system control panelinterface 216 and bi-directional communication with user device 112 andIP server 118 via PSTN/IP network interface 214. In addition,communicator device 106 may include an optional bypass relay 211 thatbypasses the functionality of communicator device 106 by connectingalarm system control panel interface 216 directly to PSTN/IP networkinterface 214 (e.g. alarm system control panel 104 is connected directlyto PSTN 122) when PSTN 122 is operational. When PSTN 122 is notoperational, bypass relay 211 does not connect alarm system controlpanel interface 216 directly to PSTN/IP network interface 214, such thatcommunication is processed by communicator device 106.

Operational Examples

As described above, when PSTN 122 is available, bypass relay 211bypasses the processing of communicator device 106 and connects alarmsystem control panel 104 directly to PSTN 122. In contrast, when thePSTN 122 is not available or is faulty, alarm system control panel 104communicates over IP network 124 with the aid of communicator device106. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 describing an example operation of alarmsystem control panel 104 when performing an upload or a download to/fromIP server 118 and/or user device 112 with the aid of communicator device106 and communication software running on the user device 112.

In a first step 302, user device 112 opens a software application whichis instructed by the user (e.g. alarm system customer, alarm systemservice center employee, alarm system call center employee, etc.) toperform an upload and/or a download to alarm system control panel 104.Examples of an upload include retrieving, among others, alarm event dataand alarm settings data from alarm system control panel 104, or anyother data stored by alarm system control panel 104. Examples of adownload include sending, among others, updated alarm settings data,arm/disarm commands, software updates and firmware updates to alarmsystem control panel 104 or any other commands/data relevant to theoperation of alarm system control panel 104.

In either the upload or the download scenario, in step 304, thecommunication software (e.g. driver) running on user device 112 opensappropriate ports in response to instructions from the user application.The driver then communicates with IP server 118 to establish an IPconnection. Once the IP connection between the driver of user device 112and IP server 118 is established, the user application of user device112, in step 306, transmits the phone number of communicator device 106to IP server 118 via the IP connection. The phone number is an exclusivenumber used by user device 112, or any other device, to communicate withalarm system control panel 104 via PSTN 122 (when PSTN 122 isavailable), and to communicate with communicator device 106 via IPnetwork 124 (when PSTN 122 is unavailable or faulty). Upon reception ofthe phone number from the user device 112, in step 308, IP server 118uses the phone number to identify communicator device 106 associatedwith the phone number and sends control signals (SMS or IP signals) tocommunicator device 106 to establish an IP connection. Upon reception ofthe control signals from IP server 118, communicator device 106, in step310, establishes an IP connection with server 118. In response toinstructions from server 118, communicator device 106 generates atelephone ring signal which is then output to alarm system control panel104.

When alarm system control panel 104 detects the ring or a predeterminedring sequence, it goes off hook and establishes a connection in step 312facilitated by back and forth communication with IP server 118 viacommunicator device 106. The telephone ring signal and the back andforth communication may include a sequence of various tones of variousdurations, and/or delays of varying length between such tones, betweenalarm system control panel 104 and communicator device 106. Communicatordevice 106 translates a sequence of various tones, durations, and/ordelays received from alarm system control panel 104 to IP data which isforwarded to IP server 118. Likewise, communicator device 106 translatesIP data received from IP server 118 into a sequence of various toneswhich is output to alarm system control panel 104. This back and forthprocess connects alarm system control panel 104 with user device 112through a combination of a local PSTN connection (e.g. tip/ringconnection) between alarm system control panel 104 and communicatordevice 106, and an IP connection between communicator device 106, IPserver 118 and the driver of user device 112.

For example, the user application may send a dial command (e.g.ATD5551212) to IP server 118, at which point the ring on period starts.The user application sends a command to stop the ring on period to IPserver 118. Ring on time is calculated and ring off period starts. Theuser application sends a dial command to IP server 118, such that ringoff period is calculated, ring on period starts. IP server 118 uses ringon and off events to replicate the ring on and off periods to match thepattern (e.g. sequence) created by the user application. IP server 118then controls communicator device 106 to start and stop ring generationbased on the measured information. The ring sequence may be determinedbased on the type (e.g. manufacturer, model, etc.) of alarm systemcontrol panel 104.

Communicator device 106 acts as a PSTN device interface to translatebetween the PSTN communication protocol used by PSTN devices such asalarm system control panel 104 and the IP communication used by IPserver 118 and the driver of the user device. This maintains the abilityof alarm system control panel 104 (or any PSTN device) to communicatewith user device 112 without the use of PSTN 122. Specifically,communicator device 106 facilitates a local PSTN type communication loopexpected by alarm system control panel 104 where current flows, carriertones are established, and data exchanged as described above, while alsofacilitating IP communication with the IP server.

Once the connection is established between the user device 112 and alarmsystem control panel 104, the user application, in step 314 communicateswith alarm system control panel 104 during the communication session toperform an upload and/or a download of data. As described above, thiscould include, among others, retrieving alarm event data and alarmsettings data from alarm system control panel 104 and/or sending updatedalarm settings data, software updates, firmware updates, and arm/disarmcommands, to alarm system control panel 104. Once the data transfer iscomplete, alarm system control panel 104 goes on hook to end theconnection and therefore end the communication session.

As described above, the flowchart in FIG. 3 describes an exampleoperation of alarm system control panel 104 when performing a dataupload or download. In order to further illustrate this process, FIG. 4shows the detailed data flow between the user device 112, IP server 118,communicator device 106 and alarm system control panel 104.

In step 1, a user application (e.g. alarm system application) running onuser device 112 executes instructions (e.g. operating system (OS)function calls) requesting communication ports on the user device to beopen. In response to the OS function calls, in step 2, a driver of userdevice 112 establishes an IP connection 402 with IP server 118. Inresponse to the IP connection being established, in steps 3, 4, 5 and 6,the user application calls to set signal states, reads signal states,and transmits/receives data, the driver conveys the signals and databetween the user application and IP server 118, and the IP server 118(acting as a virtual modem) processes the signals, generate signals andtransmits/receives data.

In step 6, when attempting to connect to the alarm system control panel,the user application configures the virtual modem and dials theconnection phone number for communicator device 106. In step 7, thevirtual modem processes the connection phone number, identifiescommunicator device 106, and sends a start signal to communicator device106. Upon receiving the start signal, communicator device 106, in step8, establishes an IP connection 404 with IP server 118. This allows IPserver 118, acting as the IP session manager, to be able to controlcommunicator device 106 in step 9.

Once the IP connections are established, communicator device 106, instep 10, receives instructions from IP server 118 via IP connection 404and generates a PSTN ring signal based on the instructions. In oneexample, the instructions may be the ring sequence determined based onthe type (e.g. manufacturer, model, etc.) of alarm system control panel104 as indicated by the user application. The generated PSTN ring signalis sent to alarm system control panel 104 via local (e.g. tip/ring)connection 406 (e.g. analog two-wire circuit). In step 11, upondetecting the PSTN ring signal, alarm system control panel 104 goesoff-hook. In step 12, IP server 118 receives hook and answer tonesstatus from alarm system control panel 104 via communicator device 106,and IP server 118 controls ring and calling tones to establish localtip/ring connection 406 with alarm system control panel 104. In thisconfiguration, communicator device 106 acts as an intermediary in orderto translate between the IP connection with IP server 118 and the localconnection with alarm system control panel 104.

In step 13, the user application, via the driver, is notified of thesuccessful connection between IP server 118 and alarm system controlpanel 104. This allows the user application to communicate with alarmsystem control panel 104 via the driver, IP server 118 and communicatordevice 106.

For example, in step 14, the user application may start forwarding datato IP server 118 via the driver and IP connection 402. Upon receivingthe data from the user application, IP server 118 forwards the data viathe IP connection 404, in step 15, to communicator device 106. In step16, communicator device 106 then modulates the received data onto acarrier tone and transmits the modulated carrier tone over the localtip/ring connection 406 to alarm system control panel 104 which receivesthe data in step 17.

In step 18, alarm system control panel 104 may start to forward data tocommunicator device 106 by modulating the data onto the carrier tone andtransmitting the modulated data over the local tip/ring connection 406.Upon receiving the data, communicator device 106 forwards the data toserver 118 in step 19. IP server 118, in step 20, then forwards the datato the driver of user device 112. In steps 21 and 22, the driverprovides the received data to the user application. The driver of userdevice 112 effectively translates the application data to IP data andvice versa.

Steps 14-22 described above may be performed and repeated as needed tofacilitate bidirectional communication between the user application andalarm system control panel 104. As described above, this may includedownloads (e.g. software/firmware updates, settings updates, and alarmcommands such as arm/disarm, etc.) from the user application to alarmsystem control panel 104, and uploads (e.g. alarm events, alarmsettings, alarm history, etc.) from alarm system control panel 104 tothe user application.

Once the communication (e.g. upload/download) is complete, alarm systemcontrol panel 104, in step 23, ends the connection by going on-hookwhich removes the carrier from the local tip/ring connection 406. Theend of the session may be initiated by the alarm system control panel104 or the user application. Upon detecting the on-hook and carrierstatus, communicator device 106, in step 24, forwards the status to IPserver 118 which detects loss of carrier and generates signals and aresponse to indicate the loss of carrier, in step 25. In step 26, thedriver of user device 112 receives the signals and the response from theIP server 118 and forwards them to the user application. Upon reception,in step 27, the user application executes instructions to close thecommunication port. In response to the instructions, the driver of userdevice 112 closes the IP connection with IP server 118 and ends the IPsession.

Although the examples described above are directed to an alarm systemcontrol panel, it is noted that alarm system control panel 104 may beany PSTN device (e.g. personal emergency devices, or any device thatcommunicates using PSTN). In either scenario, communicator device 106acts as a PSTN device interface that interfaces any PSTN device with anIP network.

The steps in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be performed by the alarm system controlpanel, communicator device, IP server and/or user devices in FIGS. 1 and2, upon loading and executing software code or instructions which aretangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on amagnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g.,an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or otherstorage media known in the art. In one example, data are encrypted whenwritten to memory, which is beneficial for use in any setting whereprivacy concerns such as protected health information is concerned. Anyof the functionality performed by the computer described herein, such asthe steps in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be implemented in software code orinstructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readablemedium. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions bythe computer, the controller may perform any of the functionality of thecomputer described herein, including the steps in FIGS. 3 and 4described herein.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein havethe ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions withrespect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and studyexcept where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” or any other variation thereof, are intended tocover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article,or apparatus that comprises or includes a list of elements or steps doesnot include only those elements or steps but may include other elementsor steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “a” or “an” does not,without further constraints, preclude the existence of additionalidentical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises the element.

Unless otherwise stated, any and all measurements, values, ratings,positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are setforth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, areapproximate, not exact. Such amounts are intended to have a reasonablerange that is consistent with the functions to which they relate andwith what is customary in the art to which they pertain. For example,unless expressly stated otherwise, a parameter value or the like mayvary by as much as ±10% from the stated amount.

In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen thatvarious features are grouped together in various examples for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examplesrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, the subject matter to be protected liesin less than all features of any single disclosed example. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subjectmatter.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and other examples, it is understood that various modifications maybe made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that they may be appliedin numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein.It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allmodifications and variations that fall within the true scope of thepresent concepts.

1. A communicator device comprising: a network interface forfacilitating internet protocol (IP) communication; a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) device interface for facilitating communicationwith a PSTN device; and a processor configured to: communicate with auser application via an IP connection, receive instructions via the IPconnection, generate a telephone ring signal based on the instructions,output the telephone ring signal to the PSTN device via the PSTN deviceinterface, in response to the PSTN device providing a response to thetelephone ring signal, establish a tip/ring connection between the PSTNdevice and the communicator device, and perform a data exchange betweenthe user application and the PSTN device via a communication link thatincludes the IP connection and the tip/ring connection.
 2. Thecommunicator device of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to receive a start signal from a server to start establishingthe IP connection with the server.
 3. The communicator device of claim1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive hook andanswer tones output by the PSTN device in response to the telephone ringsignal in order to establish the tip/ring connection between thecommunicator device and the PSTN device.
 4. The communicator system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to modulate userapplication data onto a carrier tone to transmit the user applicationdata to the PSTN device, and demodulate PSTN device data from thecarrier tone to transmit the PSTN device data to the user application.5. The communicator device of claim 1, wherein the data exchange betweenthe user application and the PSTN device includes one or both ofuploading data and downloading data, the uploaded or downloaded dataincluding at least one of software settings, event data, softwareupdates, firmware updates of the PSTN device, or commands forcontrolling the PSTN device.
 6. A communicator system comprising: a userdevice executing a user application and communication software tocommunicate with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) device; anda server and a communicator device facilitating the communicationbetween the user device and the PSTN device; wherein the communicatorsystem: establishes an internet protocol (IP) connection between thecommunication software of the user device, the server and thecommunicator device, transmits a telephone number from the userapplication to the server using the communication software and the IPconnection, transmits instructions from the server to the communicatordevice associated with the telephone number using the IP connection,transmits a telephone ring signal from the communicator device to thePSTN device, the telephone ring signal generated based on theinstructions from the server, transmits a response to the telephone ringsignal from the PSTN device to the server via the communicator device,and establishes a tip/ring connection between the PSTN device and thecommunicator device, and performs a download or an upload of databetween the user application and the PSTN device via a communicationlink that includes the IP connection and the tip/ring connection.
 7. Thecommunicator system of claim 6, wherein the communicator system isfurther configured to transmit a start signal from the server to thecommunicator device to start establishing the IP connection with theserver.
 8. The communicator system of claim 6, wherein in order tofacilitate the tip/ring connection between the PSTN device and thecommunicator device, the communicator system is further configured togenerate and transmit a specific sequence of tones to the PSTN devicebased on the server instructions, and transmit hook and detected tonesfrom the PSTN device to the server.
 9. The communicator system of claim6, wherein the communicator system is further configured to modulate bythe communicator device, user application data onto a carrier tone totransmit the user application data to the PSTN device, and demodulate bythe communicator device, PSTN device data from the carrier tone totransmit the PSTN device data to the user application.
 10. Thecommunicator system of claim 6, wherein the uploaded or downloaded dataincludes at least one of software settings, information recorded by thePSTN device, commands for controlling the PSTN device, software updates,or firmware updates of the PSTN device.
 11. A communicator methodcomprising: executing, by a user device, a user application andcommunication software to communicate with a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) device; facilitating, by a server and a communicatordevice, the communication between the user device and the PSTN device;establishing an Internet protocol (IP) connection between thecommunication software of the user device, the server and thecommunicator device; transmitting a telephone number from the userapplication to the server using the communication software and the IPconnection; transmitting instructions from the server to thecommunicator device associated with the telephone number using the IPconnection; transmitting a telephone ring signal from the communicatordevice to the PSTN device, the telephone ring signal generated based onthe instructions from the server; transmitting a response to thetelephone ring signal from the PSTN device to the server via thecommunicator device, and establishing a tip/ring connection between thePSTN device and the communicator device; and performing a download or anupload of data between the user application and the PSTN device via acommunication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ringconnection.
 12. The communicator method of claim 11, further comprising:transmitting a start signal from the server to the communicator deviceto start establishing the IP connection.
 13. The communicator method ofclaim 11, further comprising: in order to facilitate the tip/ringconnection between the PSTN device and the communicator device,generating and transmitting a specific sequence of tones to the PSTNdevice based on the server instructions, and transmitting hook anddetected tones from the PSTN device to the server.
 14. The communicatormethod of claim 11, further comprising: modulating, by the communicatordevice, user application data onto a carrier tone to transmit the userapplication data to the PSTN device, and demodulating, by thecommunicator device, PSTN device data from the carrier tone to transmitthe alarm data to the user application.
 15. The communicator method ofclaim 11, further comprising: including at least one of softwaresettings, information recorded by the PSTN device, commands forcontrolling the PSTN device, software updates, or firmware updates ofthe PSTN device in the uploaded or downloaded data.